Leandro "Leo" Isaac (born February 2, 1961) is a Filipino former basketball player, commentator, and former head coach of the Blackwater Elite in the Philippine Basketball Association.
He is chief operating officer of the basketball league Sinag Liga Asya.
College career
He played for the
Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA from 1978 to 1981 and was voted MVP for the 1981 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. His notable teammates include
Joel Banal,
Junel Baculi, and
Bong Ramos.
PBA career
He played for Ginebra San Miguel from 1986 to 1991 and 1994 to 1995. In his rookie season in 1986, he helped Ginebra win its first ever championship during the 1986 PBA Open Conference. He earned his spot in coach
Robert Jaworski rotation as a reliable backcourt defender and his valuable contributions on defense helped the Gin Kings win two more championships in 1988 and 1991.
Prior to the start of 1992 PBA season, he was traded to Pepsi for Tonichi Yturri, and then to Shell Rimula-X in exchange for Gido Babilonia and Leo Austria.
He retired from playing in the PBA after the 1995 season.
Coaching career
Philippine Basketball League
He once mentored teams such as Dr. J. Alcohol / Ana Water Dispenser, Boom Laundry Masters, Montaña Jewels, Blu All Purpose Detergent Kings, and Noosa Shoe Stars. In 1998, while coaching for Doctor J, he won his first ever championship as a coach at the expense of the heavily favored Tanduay team in the 1998–99 2nd PBL Centennial Cup.
Mapua Cardinals
Isaac took over as Mapua's head coach prior to the 2007 season.
He led the Cardinals to back-to-back Final 4 slots wherein during both appearances they were at #4. His records with them were 6–6 and 9–5, respectively.
Barako Bull Energy Boosters
In 2009, Isaac was hired as head coach for the Barako Bull Energy Boosters in the PBA
after
Yeng Guiao resigned and later moved to Burger King Whoppers. His chief lieutenants were
Raymund Celis and
Ariel Vanguardia. He was then succeeded by
Junel Baculi after coaching just one season.
Arellano University
He led them to several titles including the NCRAA championship in 2007.
After a season coaching Red Bull, in 2010 he once again coached the
Arellano Chiefs, this time, in the NCAA for two seasons.
Blackwater Elite (PBA D-League)
In 2011, Isaac was appointed head coach of the Blackwater Elite, one of the founding franchises in the newly formed PBA Developmental League.
He helped the Elite win its first and only championship against the NLEX Road Warriors during the 2013 PBA D-League Foundation Cup and in the process, earned the distinction as the only team who beat the Road Warriors in the Finals.
Blackwater Elite (PBA)
In 2014, Isaac was retained as the team's head coach after team owner
Dioceldo Sy elevated his franchise as an expansion team in the PBA. He is expected to inject the "never-say-die" experience that he got from his playing years with Ginebra. However, his team was winless in the Philippine Cup, with 0–11 win–loss record.
In his first season with the Elite, he compiled a 6–27 win–loss record.
Coaching record
Collegiate record
|
|
|
| MIT | Semifinals |
| MIT | Semifinals |
| AU | Eliminated |
| AU | Eliminated |
|
Professional record
|
|
|
| Fiesta | Wildcard phase |
| Philippine Cup | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| Commissioner's Cup | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| Governors' Cup | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| 2015–16 | Blackwater | Philippine Cup | 11 | 3 | 8 | .273 | 10th | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Quarterfinals (1st phase) |
| Commissioner's Cup | 11 | 3 | 8 | .273 | 10th | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| Governors' Cup | 11 | 1 | 10 | .910 | 12th | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| 2016–17 | Blackwater | Philippine Cup | 11 | 5 | 6 | .455 | 9th | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| Commissioner's Cup | 11 | 2 | 9 | .182 | 11th | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| Governors' Cup | 11 | 5 | 6 | .455 | 8th | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Quarterfinals |
| 2017–18 | Blackwater | Philippine Cup | 11 | 5 | 6 | .455 | 10th | — | — | — | — | Eliminated |
| Commissioner's Cup | 3 | 0 | 3 | .000 | (fired) | — | — | — | — | — |
|
In other media
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He was also a PBA commentator during the 2003 season.
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Outside of basketball, he is also an avid analyst of horse racing.
